It's a fact that Sen. Ige introduced the bill in 2003 at a time Hawaii's economy was not spiraling downward due to the great recession. In short, no urgency. Yes, it was introduced by request - who requested it remains a mystery. Any request to introduce a bill can be declined. In this case it was not. Why it was not and why at a time Hawaii's economy was relatively stable also needs an explanation.

"But Abercrombie mentioned that Ige himself had once proposed a pension tax."

Of course, called a counter action. You find fault with the present pension tax
and add a suggestion or assumption and approximation on a new pension tax.
Compromise on using both good proposals and come out with a bi-partisan Bill.

Governor Abercrombie's argument is weak here. Legislators introduce bills "By Request" or "BR" all the time. Well, less often recently, because the leadership of both chambers have taken steps to reduce the number of bills a legislator can introduce. But there were not such restrictions in 2003.

Introducing a "BR" bill is no evidence the legislator supports the bill. In fact, if the legislator really supports it, there would be no need to attach the "BR" label on it. In fact, a "BR" sticker on the bill tends to diminish the bill's credibility.

If I am a senator and someone of importance approaches me, asking me to introduce a bill on their behalf, I might very well tell them, "OK, I will introduce it, but you and your people have to do the legwork for getting the bill a hearing and passed. Because my commitment to you is simply getting the bill introduced. From that point on, it is up to you."

OTOH, if I really liked the bill, I would introduce it in my own name and work to win over colleagues to co-sponsor the bill, lobby the committee chair to get a hearing. I would expend some energy and political capital. Since Ige does not appear to have done anything beyond introducing a bill and slapping a "BR" sticker on it for all to see, Abercrombie's counter-argument would only carry weight with people who are either low information voters or eager to have a talking point to deflect Ige's effort to remind voter's of Abercrombie's public threat to "roll over" voters who opposed his pension tax plan.

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